The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1887-05-25
give additional emphasis to his remark,

Don't let the creetur in! She'll be
worse than any mother-in-law !" solemn
ly pronounced Uncle Joe!
Jest make stand at the very begin
ming, and tell Fanny you amt going to
marry the whole family lake my adj
vice now, my boy, or you'll regret it all
your lifer'
Poor Will moved very uneasily in his
chair
g i can't do that, Uncle Joe," said he.
"Pve promised Fan. She makes such a
point of it, dontyou see? And Miss ked-
gift is really very nice person You'll
say that, I'm sure, when"
But Uncle Joe remained to hear no
more. He took up candle and stalked
off to bed without even staying to cover
the fire-a thing which had not happen
ed in all the three-and-twenty years
in which he had lived in the farm
house.
Poor Will How was UncleJoe to know
how manfully he, Win, had fought the
battles of his ancient retainer that very
night? For Fanny Wallis, dearly as she
loved the young man to whom she was
so soon to be married, had stoutly COM
batted the idea of Uncle Joe.
"why don't he 60 away and get home
of hisewn?" pouted Fanny. what bus
ines has he interfering and bothering
with oar concerns?"
Bat, my own darling" protested Will,
g he has been father to me-"
But you don't want a father now that
you're going to have wife, urged Fam
n.y. "We shall be so snug and comforta-
BILE then, with Aunt Kedgitt to help u.s."
He has always managed the farm
while | attended to my trade pleaded
VIII, feeling as if the solid earth We're
giving way under his feet.
But Aunt Kedgitt is the best econo-
mist in the world, persisted Fanny, ''and
/ can't get along without Aunt Kedgitt
And she can't bear having men about
the place"
VIII groaned deep and hollow groan.
What was he to do And when he reach
ed his home, there was Uncle Joe to be
battled with-good, kind Uncle Joe, who
had always been so near and dear to
him.
The next day Uncle Joe's face at the
breakfast table was more deeply lined
than ever.
Well said he, q is this at settled
thing? Amt there no escapin' that can
tankerous old maid?"
81 don't see any way out of it, Uncle
joe" sighed the bridegroom -expectant
"That settles it," said Uncle Joe, pour
ing his coffee down his throat in scalding
draughts. "Pll pack up my traps and go
out to Michigan, where sister Ann Eliza
lives
And leave me, Uncle Joe?"
The old man shook his head.
You'll have wife and an aunt-in-
law" said he. - calculate that'senough
for you"
And to this decision he steadfastly
clung
Meanwhile, at Fanny Wallis boarding
place, Aunt Kedgitt was also laying down
the law.
81 can't stand no shiftless old folks
loafng about the place." said she. "Ive
seen enough of 'em at your Grandfather
Wallis, where they had three of them
all the same as an old peoples ref
uge."
But, dear Aunt Kedgitt," almost wept
Fanny, "how can ever get along with
out youp'
"Oh, I'll stay, then, until you get back
from your wedding trip" said Miss Kedg-
lit, resignedly. "I guess can get along
with him as long as thatp'
The grim air with which the two OPP
posite relatives regarded each other across
the table whereon was spread the we'd
ding breakfast was something fearful to
behold. Fanny felt it in the midst of
her happiness-and Will Harrow groan-
ed in spirit.
"Why can't that old man take himself
somewhere else?" thought Fanny.
"What possessed that old woman to
come and take possession of my house ?"
muse Will
II poisoned all their first happiness,
that dreadful recollection of Mr.. Parish |
and Miss Kedgitt waging single combat |
in the old house at home, while they /
were absent.
Aunt Kedgitt will never consent to
be second in authority to an old fossil |
like that" thought Fanny.
"Uncle Joe won't stand any of the wo-
mans nonsense said viii, gloomily, to
himself 81 only hope there'll be no
bloodshed in our absence"
And each looked little fearful at the
other ON that bright February afternoon
when the cutter sleigh brought them
back from the depot.
A cheerful fire burned in the sitting
room-the table waa spread with dainty
fare. Aunt Kedgitt came spiling forward
in her best black silk gown, with fresh Ii
lac ribbons in her cap. Uncle Joe, with
newly BACKED boots and astihy-starched
'store-shirt " on, stood in the background
as radiant as the picture of the rising
sun ON the face of the clock behind
him.
"We are back all safe, Aunt Kedgitt,"
said Mrs. Harrow, a little Historically.
"Waal, Fanny, me and your aunt amt
sorry interposed Mr.. Parish, by way of
answer You've had your turn weddin'
trippin', and now we want oursl Don't
We, Eliza?"
What cried Fanny, while viii
dropped the biggest travelling bag in his
amazement.
ave were married last "Wednesday.
that's all ~ said uncle joe Wasn't we,
Eliza.
Don't be foolish, joe" said his bride,
with girlish giggle.
There never was such a woman as Eli
za,' said Mr.. Parish, proudly.
''Nor such man as Joseph" said I
Mrs. Parish, with an air of deep con-
viction.